Barium-Catalysed Dehydrocoupling of Hydrosilanes and Borinic Acids: A Mechanistic Insight

Two very rare cases of barium boryloxides, the homoleptic [Ba(OB{CH(SiMe₃)₂}₂)₂⋅C₇H₈] and the heteroleptic [{LO^NO4}BaOB{CH(SiMe₃)₂}₂] stabilised by the multidentate aminoetherphenolate {LO^NO4}⁻, are presented, and their structural properties are discussed. The electron-deficient [Ba(OB{CH(SiMe₃)₂}₂)₂⋅C₇H₈] shows, in particular, resilient η⁶-coordination of the toluene molecule. Together with its amido parents [Ba{N(SiMe₃)₂}₂⋅thf₂] and [Ba{N(SiMe₃)₂}₂]₂, this complex catalyses the fast and chemoselective dehydrocoupling of borinic acids R₂BOH and hydrosilanes HSiR′₃, yielding borasiloxanes R₂BOSiR′₃ in a controlled fashion. The assessment of substrate scope indicates that, for now, the reaction is limited to bulky borinic acids. Kinetic analysis shows that the rate-limiting step of the catalytic manifold traverses a dinuclear transition state. A detailed mechanistic scenario is proposed on the basis of DFT computations, the results of which are fully consistent with experimental data. It consists of a stepwise process with rate-determining nucleophilic attack of a metal-bound O-atom onto the incoming hydrosilane, involving throughout dinuclear catalytically active species.     

Structural and Synthetic Insights into Sodium-Mediated-Ferration of Fluoroarenes

Exploiting chemical cooperation between Na and Fe(II) within the bimetallic base [dioxane ⋅ NaFe(HMDS)₃] ( I ), (dioxane=1,4-dioxane, HMDS=N(SiMe₃)₂) the selective ferration of fluorobenzene, 1-fluoronaphthalene, 1,4-difluorobenzene, 1,2,4-trifluorobenzene, 1,3,5-trifluorobenzene, 1-bromo-3,5-difluorobenzene, 3-fluoroanisole and 3,5-difluoroanisole has been realized, affording sodium ferrates [dioxane ⋅ Na(HMDS)(2-F-C₆H₄)Fe(HMDS)]_∞ ( 1 ), [dioxane ⋅ Na(HMDS)(2-F-C₁₀H₆)Fe(HMDS)]_∞ ( 2 ), [dioxane ⋅ {Na(HMDS)(2,5-F₂-C₆H₃)Fe(HMDS)}₂]_∞ ( 3 ), [dioxane ⋅ {Na(HMDS)(2,3,6-F₃-C₆H₂)Fe(HMDS)}₂]_∞ ( 4 ), [(dioxane)_1.5 ⋅ Na(HMDS)(2,4,6-F₃-C₆H₂)Fe(HMDS)]₂ ( 5 ), [(dioxane)_1.5 ⋅ {Na(HMDS)(4-Br-2,6-F₂-C₆H₂)Fe(HMDS)₂] ( 6 ), [{(dioxane)₂ ⋅ Na₂Fe(HMDS)₂(2-methoxy-6-F-C₆H₃)}⁺{Fe(HMDS)₃}⁻]_∞ ( 7 ) and [dioxane ⋅ {Na(HMDS)(4-methoxy-2,6-F₂-C₆H₂)Fe(HMDS)}₂]_∞ ( 8 ), respectively. Reactions take place under mild reaction conditions, with excellent control of the selectivity and no competing C−F bond activation is observed. Showcasing complex polymeric arrangements in some cases, the structures of compounds 1 – 8 have been determined by X-ray crystallographic studies. In all cases, the Fe(II) centers occupy the position in the relevant fluoroarene that was previously filled by a proton, confirming that these metallations are actually ferration processes whereas the Na atoms prefer to form Na⋅⋅⋅F dative interactions. Compounds 1 – 8 are thermally stable and do not undergo benzyne formation (through NaF elimination) and their formation contrasts with the inertness of Fe(HMDS)₂ which fails to act as a base to metallate fluoroarenes.     

Aluminum(III) Cations [(NHC) ⋅ AlMes2]+: Synthesis,Characterization, and Application in FLP-Chemistry

The three-coordinate aluminum cations ligated by N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) [(NHC) ⋅ AlMes₂]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]⁻ (NHC=IMe^Me 4 , IiPr^Me 5 , IiPr 6 , Mes=2,4,6-trimethylphenyl) were prepared via hydride abstraction of the alanes (NHC) ⋅ AlHMes₂ (NHC=IMe^Me 1 , IiPr^Me 2 , IiPr 3 ) using [Ph₃C]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]⁻ in toluene as hydride acceptor. If this reaction was performed in diethyl ether, the corresponding four-coordinate aluminum etherate cations [(NHC) ⋅ AlMes₂(OEt₂)]⁺ [B(C₆F₅)₄]⁻ 7 – 9 (NHC=IMe^Me 7 , IiPr^Me 8 , IiPr 9 ) were isolated. According to a theoretical and experimental assessment of the Lewis-acidity of the [(IMe^Me) ⋅ AlMes₂]⁺ cation is the acidity larger than that of B(C₆F₅)₃ and of similar magnitude as reported for Al(C₆F₅)₃. The reaction of [(IMe^Me) ⋅ AlMes₂]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]⁻ 4 with the sterically less demanding, basic phosphine PMe₃ afforded a mixed NHC/phosphine stabilized cation [(IMe^Me) ⋅ AlMes₂(PMe₃)]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]⁻ 10 . Equimolar mixtures of 4 and the sterically more demanding PCy₃ gave a frustrated Lewis-pair (FLP), i.e., [(IMe^Me) ⋅ AlMes₂]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]⁻/PCy₃ FLP-11 , which reacts with small molecules such as CO₂, ethene, and 2-butyne.     

Nickelocene chemistry : II. New methylidyne trinickel cluster compounds

The new methylidene trinickel cluster complexes, [RCNi₃(η⁵-C₅H₅₃] (R  CMe₃ or SiMe₃) and [Me₃SiCNi₃(η⁵-C₅H₅)2(η⁵-C₅H₄CH₂SiMe₃)] have been isolated in low yield from reactions between nickelocene and the corresponding alkyllithium reagents, RCH₂Li. The compounds [RCNi₃(η⁵-C₅H₅)₃] (R  Ph, CMe₃ or SiMe₃) have also been obtained by treatment of the σ-alkylnickel complexes [(η⁵-C₅H₅)Ni(CH₂R)(PPh₃)] with n-BuLi in the presence of an excess of nickelocene, but under similar conditions [(η⁵-C₅H₅)Ni(CH₂C_1OH₇-2)-(PPh₃)] (where C_1OH₇-2  2-naphthyl) failed to give [2-C_1OH₇CNi₃(η⁵-C₅H₅)₃]. The attempted synthesis of [(η⁵-C₅H₅)Ni(CH₂CCH)(PPh₃)] from [(η⁵-C₅H₅)-NiBr(PPh₃)] and CHCCH₂MgBr gave only [(η⁵-C₅H₅)Ni(CCMe)(PPh₃)] by an unusual rearrangement reaction.     

Simple Access to the Heaviest Alkaline Earth Metal Hydride: A Strongly Reducing Hydrocarbon‐Soluble Barium Hydride Cluster

Reaction of Ba[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂ with PhSiH₃ in toluene gave simple access to the unique Ba hydride cluster Ba₇H₇[N(SiMe₃)₂]₇ that can be described as a square pyramid spanned by five Ba²⁺ ions with two flanking BaH[N(SiMe₃)₂] units. This heptanuclear cluster is well soluble in aromatic solvents, and the hydride ¹H NMR signals and coupling pattern suggests that the structure is stable in solution. At 95 °C, no coalescence of hydride signals is observed but the cluster slowly decomposes to undefined barium hydride species. The complex Ba₇H₇[N(SiMe₃)₂]₇ is a very strong reducing agent that already at room temperature reacts with Me₃SiCH=CH₂, norbornadiene, and ethylene. The highly reactive alkyl barium intermediates cannot be observed and deprotonate the (Me₃Si)₂N⁻ ion, as confirmed by the crystal structure of Ba₁₄H₁₂[N(SiMe₃)₂]₁₂[(Me₃Si)(Me₂SiCH₂)N]₄.     

Synthesis and reactivity of neodymium(III) amido-tethered N-heterocyclic carbene complexes

The reaction of the heteroleptic Nd(III) iodide, [Nd(L′)(N″)(μ-I)] with the potassium salts of primary aryl amides [KN(H)Ar′] or [KN(H)Ar^*] affords heteroleptic, structurally characterised, low-coordinate neodymium amides [Nd(L′)(N″)(N(H)Ar′)] and [Nd(L′)(N″)(N(H)Ar^*)] cleanly (L′ = t-BuNCH₂CH₂[C{NC(SiMe₃)CHNt-Bu}], N″ = N(SiMe₃)₂, Ar′ = 2,6-Dipp₂C₆H₃, Dipp = 2,6-Prⁱ₂C₆H₃, Ar^* = 2,6-(2,4,6-Prⁱ₃C₆H₂)₂C₆H₃). The potassium terphenyl primary amide [KN(H)Ar^*] is readily prepared and isolated, and structurally characterised. Treatment of these primary amide-containing compounds with alkali metal alkyl salts results in ligand exchange to give alkali metal primary amides and intractable heteroleptic Nd(III) alkyl compounds of the form [Nd(L′)(N″)(R)] (R = CH₂SiMe₃, Me). Attempted deprotonation of the Nd-bound primary amide in [Nd(L′)(N″)(N(H)Ar^*)] with the less nucleophilic phosphazene superbase Bu^tNP{NP(NMe₂)₃}₃ resulted in indiscriminate deprotonations of peripheral ligand CH groups.     

Crystal structures of [Rh(η-C5H5)(C3S5)] and [Rh(η-C5Me5)(C3S5)]2 and properties of their oxidized species

[Rh(η⁵-C₅H₅)(C₃S₅)] and [Rh(η⁵-C₅Me₅)(C₃S₅)]₂ [C₃S₅²⁻=4,5-disulfanyl-1,3-dithiole-2-thionate(2-)] were prepared by reactions of [NMe₄]₂[C₃S₅] with [Rh(η⁵-C₅H₅)Cl₂]₂ and [Rh(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Cl₂]₂, respectively. Their X-ray crystal structural analyses revealed a monomeric form for the former complex and a dimeric geometry containing bridging S-Rh-S bonds for the latter in the solid state. They were reacted with bromine to afford [RhBr(L)(C₃S₅)] (L=η⁵-C₅H₅ and η⁵-C₅Me₅) with the Rh-Br bond and one electron-oxidation on the C₃S₅ ligand. ESR spectra and spin densities for these oxidized species are discussed.     

Lateral Metallation and Redistribution Reactions of Sodium Ferrates Containing Bulky 2,6-Diisopropyl-N-(trimethylsilyl)anilide Ligands

Alkali-metal ferrates containing amide groups have emerged as regioselective bases capable of promoting Fe−H exchanges of aromatic substrates. Advancing this area of heterobimetallic chemistry, a new series of sodium ferrates is introduced incorporating the bulky arylsilyl amido ligand N(SiMe₃)(Dipp) (Dipp=2,6-iPr₂-C₆H₃). Influenced by the large steric demands imposed by this amide, transamination of [NaFe(HMDS)₃] (HMDS=N(SiMe₃)₂) with an excess of HN(SiMe₃)(Dipp) led to the isolation of heteroleptic [Na(HMDS)₂Fe{N(SiMe₃)Dipp}]_∞ ( 1 ) resulting from the exchange of just one HMDS group. An alternative co-complexation approach, combining the homometallic metal amides [NaN(SiMe₃)Dipp] and [Fe{N(SiMe₃)Dipp}₂] induces lateral metallation of one Me arm from the SiMe₃ group in the iron amide furnishing tetrameric [NaFe{N(SiCH₂Me₂)Dipp}{N(SiMe₃)Dipp}]₄ ( 2 ). Reactivity studies support that this deprotonation is driven by the steric incompatibility of the single metal amides rather than the basic capability of the sodium reagent. Displaying synergistic reactivity, heteroleptic sodium ferrate 1 can selectively promote ferration of pentafluorobenzene using one of its HMDS arms to give heterotrileptic [Na{N(SiMe₃)Dipp}(HMDS)Fe(C₆F₅)]_∞ ( 4 ). Attempts to deprotonate less activated pyridine led to the isolation of NaHMDS and heteroleptic Fe(II) amide [(py)Fe{N(SiMe₃)Dipp}(HMDS)] ( 5 ), resulting from an alternative redistribution process which is favoured by the Lewis donor ability of this substrate.     

Cationic Allyl Complexes of the Rare‐Earth Metals: Synthesis,Structural Characterization,and 1,3‐Butadiene Polymerization Catalysis

Monocationic bis‐allyl complexes [Ln(η³‐C₃H₅)₂(thf)₃]⁺[B(C₆X₅)₄]^? (Ln=Y, La, Nd; X=H, F) and dicationic mono‐allyl complexes of yttrium and the early lanthanides [Ln(η³‐C₃H₅)(thf)₆]²⁺[BPh₄]₂^? (Ln=La, Nd) were prepared by protonolysis of the tris‐allyl complexes [Ln(η³‐C₃H₅)₃(diox)] (Ln=Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm; diox=1,4‐dioxane) isolated as a 1,4‐dioxane‐bridged dimer (Ln=Ce) or THF adducts [Ln(η³‐C₃H₅)₃(thf)₂] (Ln=Ce, Pr). Allyl abstraction from the neutral tris‐allyl complex by a Lewis acid, ER₃ (Al(CH₂SiMe₃)₃, BPh₃) gave the ion pair [Ln(η³‐C₃H₅)₂(thf)₃]⁺[ER₃(η¹‐CH₂CH?CH₂)]^? (Ln=Y, La; ER₃=Al(CH₂SiMe₃)₃, BPh₃). Benzophenone inserts into the La? C_allyl bond of [La(η³‐C₃H₅)₂(thf)₃]⁺[BPh₄]^? to form the alkoxy complex [La{OCPh₂(CH₂CH?CH₂)}₂(thf)₃]⁺[BPh₄]^?. The monocationic half‐sandwich complexes [Ln(η⁵‐C₅Me₄SiMe₃)(η³‐C₃H₅)(thf)₂]⁺[B(C₆X₅)₄]^? (Ln=Y, La; X=H, F) were synthesized from the neutral precursors [Ln(η⁵‐C₅Me₄SiMe₃)(η³‐C₃H₅)₂(thf)] by protonolysis. For 1,3‐butadiene polymerization catalysis, the yttrium‐based systems were more active than the corresponding lanthanum or neodymium homologues, giving polybutadiene with approximately 90 % 1,4‐cis stereoselectivity.     

Strengthening of the C−F Bond in Fumaryl Fluoride with Superacids

The reaction of fumaryl fluoride with the superacidic solutions XF/MF₅ (X=H, D; M=As, Sb) results in the formation of the monoprotonated and diprotonated species, dependent on the stoichiometric ratio of the Lewis acid to fumaryl fluoride. The salts [C₄H₃F₂O₂]⁺[MF₆]⁻ (M=As, Sb) and [C₄H₂X₂F₂O₂]²⁺([MF₆]⁻)₂ (X=H, D; M=As, Sb) are the first examples with a protonated acyl fluoride moiety. They were characterized by low-temperature vibrational spectroscopy. Low-temperature NMR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray structure analyses were carried out for [C₄H₃F₂O₂]⁺[SbF₆]⁻ as well as for [C₄H₄F₂O₂]²⁺([MF₆]⁻)₂ (M=As, Sb). The experimental results are discussed together with quantum chemical calculations of the cations [C₄H₄F₂O₂ ⋅ 2 HF]²⁺ and [C₄H₃F₂O₂ ⋅ HF]⁺ at the B3LYP/aug-cc-pVTZ level of theory. In addition, electrostatic potential (ESP) maps combined with natural population analysis (NPA) charges were calculated in order to investigate the electron distribution and the charge-related properties of the diprotonated species. The C−F bond lengths in the protonated dication are considerably reduced on account of the +R effect.     

Photochemical reactions of allyl and crotyl halides with cyclopentadienyl-chromium, -molybdenum and -tungsten complexes

[MoCl(CO)₃(η⁵-C₅H₅)] on photolysis with allyl or crotyl halides C₅H₄RX gives Mo^IV complexes [MoX₂(CO)(η³-C₃H₄R)(η⁵-C₅H₅)] (R = H, X = Cl, Br, I; R = Me, X = Cl, Br). [WCl(CO)₃(η⁵-C₅H₅)] under similar conditions gives trihalides [WX₃(CO)₂(η⁵-C₅H₅)] (X = Cl, Br) on reaction with C₃H₅Cl and C₃H₅Br while [WCl(CO)₃(η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)] and [CrI(CO)₃(η⁵-C₅H₅)] react with allyl chloride to give [WCl₃(CO)₂(η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)] and [CrCl₂(η⁵-C₅H₅)] respectively.     

C2-Bridged sandwich and half-sandwich entities with Ti(IV) and Cr(0) centers

The intense purple colored bi- and trimetallic complexes {Ti}(CH₂SiMe₃)[CC(η⁶-C₆H₅)Cr(CO)₃] (3) ({Ti}=(η⁵-C₅H₅)₂Ti) and [Ti][CC(η⁶-C₆H₅)Cr(CO)₃]₂ (5) {[Ti]=(η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)₂Ti}, in which next to a Ti(IV) center a Cr(0) atom is present, are accessible by the reaction of Li[CC(η⁶-C₆H₅)Cr(CO)₃] (2) with {Ti}(CH₂SiMe₃)Cl (1) or [Ti]Cl₂ (4) in a 1:1 or 2:1 molar ratio. The chemical and electrochemical properties of 3, 5, {Ti}(CH₂SiMe₃)(CCFc) [Fc=(η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(η⁵-C₅H₄)] and [Ti][(CC)_nMc][(CC)_mM′c] [n, m=1, 2; n=m; n≠m; Mc=(η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(η⁵-C₅H₄); M′c=(η⁵-C₅H₅)Ru(η⁵-C₅H₄); Mc=M′c; Mc≠M′c] will be comparatively discussed.     

Darstellung von Dithiatetrazocinen und Folgereaktionen

Preparation of Dithiatetrazocine and Secondary Reactions Li[PhCN₂(SiMe₃)₂] ( 1 ) or PhCN₂(SiMe₃)₃ ( 3 ) react with SCl₂ to give in good yields the dithiatetrazocine PhC(NSN)₂CPh ( 2 ). By analogy, p-MeC₆H₄C(NSN)₂CC₆H₄Me-p ( 7 ), p-NO₂C₆H₄C(NSN)₂-CC₆H₄NO₂-p ( 8 ), and p-CF₃C₆H₄C(NSN)₂CC₆H₄CF₃-p ( 9 ) are obtained from the reaction of p-MeC₆H₄CN₂(SiMe₃)₃ ( 4 ), Li[p-NO₂-C₆H₄CN₂(SiMe₃)₂] ( 5 ), und Li[p-CF₃C₆H₄CN₂(SiMe₃)₂] ( 6 ) with SCl₂. Reaction of 2 /LiCl with AgAsF₆ in liquid SO₂ leads to [PhCN₂S₂]⁺[AsF₆]⁻ ( 10 ) and 3[PhCN₂S₂]⁺2[AsF₆]⁻Cl⁻ ( 11 ). The structures of 10 and 11 are confirmed by X-ray analyses.     

Synthesis and Characterisation of N,N′-Disubstituted 1,2-phenylenebis(amido)tin(II) Compounds; X-Ray structures of 1,2- and of [1,2- (tmeda)

Cyclic bis(amido)tin(II) compounds 1,2- [R = SiMe₃] ( 4 ), SiMe₂Bu^t ( 5 ) and CH₂Bu^t ( 6 )], as well as ( 4 )₂(μ-tmeda) 7 have been obtained either from (i) the corresponding dilithium compound 1,2-C₆H₄[N(R)Li]₂ 1–3 and SnCl₂ for 4–6 , respectively, (or for 4 ) 2 1 + [Sn(μ-Cl){N(SiMe₃)₂}]₂; or (ii) 1,2-C₆H₄[N(H)R]₂ + Sn[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂ for 4–6 ; or for 7 from 4 and tmeda. Compounds 4–6 are monomeric, yellow, thermochromic (becoming redder on heating), diamagnetic, crystalline and are lipophilic and sublimable in vacuo. Compound 7 is colourless. The molecular structures of 6 and 7 have been determined from single crystal X-ray diffraction data. Compound 6 crystallises in bimolecular aggregates, in which there is a weak η-C₆ … Sn contact.     

Synthesis of Copper(I) Complexes with Ketimide and Hydrazide Ligands

Copper(I) chloride reacted with lithium ketimides to form tetrameric homoleptic copper(I) ketimide complexes, [Cu(N=CR₂)]₄, where R = t-Bu or Ph. Mesityl copper reacted with excess 1-trimethylsilylmethyl-2,2,-dimethylhydrazine to give the mixed ligand complex (2,4,6-C₆Me₃H₂)Cu₄[N(SiMe₃)NMe₂]₃. Single-crystal X-ray crystallographic studies revealed that the three complexes have eight-member ring structures in which the ring has a hinged or butterfly shape. Although an eight-member ring structure is common for copper(I) amido, alkyl, and aryl clusters, the structure of [Cu(N=C-t-Bu₂)]₄ is unusual because the hinge angle is significantly smaller than is common, resulting in short Cu···Cu contacts compared to related complexes.     

Preparation and crystal structures of [μ-SbPh2]2[Mo(CO)2(η5-C5H5)]2·CHCl3 and SbPh[Fe(CO)2(η5-C5H5)]2

Antimony is reduced when [SbPh₂BrO]₂ is treated with Na[Mo(CO)₃(η⁵-C₅H₅)] to produce [μ-SbPh₂]₂[Mo(CO)₂(η⁵-C₅H₅)]₂. A structure determination shows diphenylstibido groups bridging between two Mo(CO)₂(η⁵-C₅H₅) moieties giving a central ‘butterfly’ shaped Sb₂Mo₂ ring. The cyclopentadiene rings are trans to each other and Mo–Sb and Sb–Sb separations are both short. An iron analogue could not be obtained from [SbPh₂BrO]₂ and Na[Fe(CO)₂(η⁵-C₅H₅)] but a mixture of SbPh[Fe(CO)₂(η⁵-C₅H₅)]₂ and SbPh₂[Fe(CO)₂(η⁵-C₅H₅)] was obtained using SbPh₂Cl. An X-ray structure for SbPh[Fe(CO)₂(η⁵-C₅H₅)]₂ shows an open stibinidine structure.     

Diphenylcarbene rhodium complexes: of the halfsandwich type with (η5-C5H4SiMe3)Rh as a molecular unit

The square-planar rhodium(I) complexes trans-[RhCl(=CPh₂)(L)₂] (L = SbiPr₃, PiPr₃, PPh₃) react with LiC₅H₄SiMe₃ to give the halfsandwich type compounds [(η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)Rh(=CPh₂)(L)] 7–9 in good to excellent yields. While the phosphine complexes 8 and 9 are rather inert toward Lewis bases, the stibine derivative 7 reacts with CO, CNtBu and PMe₃ to afford the corresponding substitution products [(η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)Rh(=CPh₂)(L′] 10–12. In contrast, the reaction of 7 with C₂H₄ leads to the displacement of the carbene ligand and to the formation of the ethene complex [(η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)Rh(C₂H₄)(SbiPr₃)] 14 together with the C−C coupling product Ph₂C=CHCH₃13. Upon treatment of 9 (L = PPh₃) with an equimolar amount of HCl, the chloro(hydrido)rhodium(III) compound [{η⁵-C₅H₃)(CHPH₂)(SiMe₃)}RhHCl(PPh₃)] 15 is formed. With an excess of HCl, a mixture of two products is obtained, one of which, with the composition [η⁵-C₅H₄)CHPh₂)RhCl₂(PPH₃)] 17 has been independently prepared from η⁵-C₅H₅)Rh(=CPh₂)(PPh₃] 18 and 2 equiv of HCl.     

Low‐Coordinate Barium Boryloxides: Synthesis and Dehydrocoupling Catalysis for the Production of Borasiloxanes

The first soluble barium boryloxides [Ba]– OB{CH(SiMe₃)₂} are presented. These mono‐ or dinuclear complexes feature low coordination numbers, as low as two for [Ba(OB{CH(SiMe₃)₂}₂)₂], which is further stabilized by intra‐ and intermolecular Ba???H₃C agostic interactions. Barium boryloxides and the parent [Ba{N(SiMe₃)₂}₂?(thf)₂] catalyze the dehydrocoupling of borinic acids with hydrosilanes, providing borasiloxanes under mild conditions.     

Synthesis and structural studies of some titanium and zirconium complexes with chiral bis(amide), amidinate or bis(amidinate) ligands

Reaction of bis(amide) sodium Na₂[(1R,2R)-(−)-1,2-(NSiMe₃)₂-C₆H₁₀] (Na₂[L¹]) with Ti(OiPr)₂Cl₂ in different conditions gave mixed-ligand complexes [Ti(OiPr)Cl][L¹] (1) or [Ti(OiPr)₂Cl]₂[L¹] (2); 2 is a dinuclear titanium example in which Ti atoms are bridged by nitrogen and oxygen atoms simultaneously forming a distorted rhombic core. Reaction of the amine-amidinate ligand (1R,2R)-(−)-1-Li[NC(Ph)N(SiMe₃)]-2-(NHSiMe₃)-C₆H₁₀(Li[L²]) or rarely linked bis(amidinate) ligand Li₂[(1R,2R)-(−)-1,2-{NC(Ph)N(SiMe₃)}₂-C₆H₁₀](Li₂[L³]) with ZrCl₄ yielded the unbridged and bridged bis(amidinate) complexes ZrCl₂[L²]₂ (3) and [ZrCl₂(THF)][L³] (4), respectively; Moreover, the reaction of (1R,2R)-(−)-1-Li[NC(Ph)N(SiMe₃)]-2-Li(NSiMe₃)C₆H₁₀(Li₂[L²]) with Ti(OiPr)₂Cl₂ gave a new type of tridentate amido-amidinate product [Ti(OiPr)₂][L²] (6), which is a distinct model compared to [Ti(OiPr)₂Cl][L²] (5) yielded from Li[L²]. All the products have been characterized by X-ray crystallography and the structural studies are presented detailedly comparing with relevant compounds.     

Synthesis of homo- and heterodinuclear metal complexes with dimethylsilylene bridged unsymmetrical bis(cyclopentadienyl) ligand

The reaction of the dilithium salt Li₂[Me₂Si(C₅H₄)(C₅Me₄)] (2) of Me₂Si(C₅H₅)(C₅HMe₄) (1) with [MCl(C₈H₁₂)]₂ (M=Rh, Ir) and [RhCl(CO)₂]₂ afforded homodinuclear metal complexes [{Me₂Si(η⁵-C₅H₄)(η⁵-C₅Me₄)}{M(C₈H₁₂)}₂] (M=Rh: 3; M=Ir: 4) and [{Me₂Si(η⁵-C₅H₄)(η⁵-C₅Me₄)}Rh₂(CO)₂(μ-CO)] (5), respectively. The reaction of 2 with RhCl(CO)(PPh₃)₂ afforded a mononuclear metal complex [{Me₂Si(C₅HMe₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)}Rh(CO)PPh₃] (6) leaving the C₅HMe₄ moiety intact. Taking advantage of the difference in reactivity of the two cyclopentadienyl moieties of 2, heterodinuclear complexes were prepared in one pot. Thus, the reaction of 2 with RhCl(CO)(PPh₃)₂, followed by the treatment with [MCl(C₈H₁₂)]₂ (M=Rh, Ir) afforded a homodinuclear metal complex [Rh(CO)PPh₃{(η⁵-C₅H₄)SiMe₂(η⁵-C₅Me₄)}Rh(C₈H₁₂)] (7) consisting of two rhodium centers with different ligands and a heterodinuclear metal complex [Rh(CO)(PPh₃){(η⁵-C₅H₄)SiMe₂(η⁵-C₅Me₄)}Ir(C₈H₁₂)] (8). The successive treatment of 2 with [IrCl(C₈H₁₂)]₂ and [RhCl(C₈H₁₂)]₂ provided heterodinuclear metal complex [Ir(C₈H₁₂){(η⁵-C₅H₄)SiMe₂(η⁵-C₅Me₄)}Rh(C₈H₁₂)] (9). The reaction of 2 with CoCl(PPh₃)₃ and then with PhCCPh gave a mononuclear cobaltacyclopentadiene complex [{Me₂Si(C₅Me₄H)(η⁵-C₅H₄)}Co(CPhCPhCPhCPh)(PPh₃)] (10). However, successive treatment of 2 with CoCl(PPh₃)₃, PhCCPh and [MCl(C₈H₁₂)]₂ in this order afforded heterodinuclear metal complexes [M(C₈H₁₂){(η⁵-C₅H₄)SiMe₂(η⁵-C₅Me₄)}Co(η⁴-C₄Ph₄)] (M=Rh: 11; M=Ir: 12) in which the cobalt center was connected to the C₅Me₄ moiety. Although the heating of 10 afforded a tetraphenylcyclobutadiene complex [{Me₂Si(C₅Me₄H)(η⁵-C₅H₄)}Co(η⁴-C₄Ph₄)] (13), in which the cobalt center was connected to the C₅H₄ moiety, simple heating of the reaction mixture of 2, CoCl(PPh₃)₃ and PhCCPh resulted in the formation of a tetraphenylcyclobutadiene complex [{Me₂Si(C₅H₅)(η⁵-C₅Me₄)}Co(η⁴-C₄Ph₄)] (14), in which the cobalt center was connected to the C₅Me₄ moiety. The mechanism of the cobalt transfer was suggested based on the electrophilicity of the formal trivalent cobaltacyclopentadiene moiety. In the presence of 1,5-cyclooctadiene, the reaction of 2 with CoCl(PPh₃)₃ provided a mononuclear cobalt cyclooctadiene complex [{Me₂Si(C₅Me₄H)(η⁵-C₅H₄)}Co(C₈H₁₂)] (15). The reaction of 15 with n-BuLi followed by the treatment with [MCl(C₈H₁₂)]₂ (M=Rh, Ir) afforded the heterodinuclear metal complexes of [Co(C₈H₁₂){(η⁵-C₅H₄)SiMe₂(η⁵-C₅Me₄)}M(C₈H₁₂)] (M=Rh: 16; M=Ir: 17). Treatment of 6 with Fe₂(CO)₉ at room temperature afforded a heterodinuclear metal complex [{Me₂Si(C₅HMe₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)}{Rh(PPh₃)(μ-CO)₂Fe(CO)₃}] (18) in which the C₅HMe₄ moiety was kept intact. Treatment of dinuclear metal complex 5 with Fe₂(CO)₉ afforded a heterotrinuclear metal complex [{(η⁵-C₅H₄)SiMe₂(η⁵-C₅Me₄)}{Rh(CO)Rh(μ-CO)₂Fe(CO)₃}] (19) having a triangular metal framework. The crystal and molecular structures of 3, 11, 12, 18 and 19 have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.